Petunia plant named ‘DCASRCHERY’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  cultivar named ‘DCASRCHERY’ is disclosed, characterized by a semi-trailing growth habit combined with very good branching on plants of strong vigor. The flower color is purple with a white rim and black veins. The flowers are large and plants flower abundantly. The new variety is a  Petunia , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Petunia hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘DCASRCHERY’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Petunia hybrida cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to produce new Petunia varieties with novel flower color patterns and large flowers. The cross resulting in this new variety was made during September of 2013.

The seed parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Petunia ‘cv. 13-7195’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to as Petunia ‘cv. 13-7732’. The new variety was discovered in June of 2014 by the inventor in a group of seedlings resulting from the 2013 crossing, in a research greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ was first performed by terminal vegetative cuttings during July of 2014, at a greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Subsequent propagation by has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in more than 25 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DCASRCHERY’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DCASRCHERY’ as a new and distinct Petunia cultivar:

-   -   1. Semi-trailing growth habit.     -   2. Very well-branched plants with strong vigor.     -   3. Flowers color is purple with a white rim and black veins.     -   4. Large flower size.     -   5. Abundant flowering.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ are similar to plants of the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The seed parent has a trailing growth habit, the new variety         is semi-trailing.     -   2. The new variety is more vigorous and produces more branches         per plant.     -   3. Flower color of the seed parent is magenta with black veins,         flowers of the new variety are purple with a white rim and black         veins.     -   4. Flowers of the new variety are larger than those of the seed         parent.     -   5. The new variety flowers more abundantly than the seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ differ in the following;

-   -   1. The pollen parent has a semi upright growth habit, the new         variety is semi-trailing.     -   2. Plants of the pollen parent are less vigorous, with less         branching than the new variety.     -   3. Flower color of the pollen parent is magenta with a wide         white rim, the new variety is purple with a white rim and black         veins.     -   4. Flower size of the pollen parent is larger than the new         variety.     -   5. The new variety flowers more abundantly than the pollen         parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ can be compared to the patented commercial variety Petunia hybrida ‘DCAS301’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 27,238. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DCASRCHERY’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flower size of this comparator is smaller than the flower of         the new variety.     -   2. Flower shape of the comparator is rounded, while the flower         of the new variety is more star-shaped.     -   3. Flower veins of the new variety are purple, positioned only         in the throat, while the flower veins of the new variety are         black and located along the petals

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DCASRCHERY’ can also be compared to the patented commercial variety Petunia hybrida ‘DCAS298’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,932. These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, ‘DCASRCHERY’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Flower size of the comparator is smaller than the flower size         of the new variety.     -   2. Flower color of the comparator is dark purple with an ivory         rim, while the new purple with a white rim and black veins.     -   3. The comparator plant is taller than the new variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DCASRCHERY’ grown in a greenhouse, in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical mature flower of ‘DCASRCHERY’ during Spring. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 90 days from a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DCASRCHERY’ plants grown in greenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under natural lighting. Measurements were taken during April of 2015. The plants were approximately 90 days from a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The growing temperature ranged from 20° C. to 35° C. during the days, 17° C. to 23° C. during the nights. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia hybrida ‘DCASRCHERY’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 10-14 days at approximately 20° C. -   Root description: Fibrous. Colored tan and white, not accurately     measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Semi-Trailing. -   Pot size of plant described: 13 cm. -   Height: To top of flowers: about 22 cm. -   Plant spread: About 60 cm. -   Growth and vigor: Strong and vigorous. -   Branching characteristics: Very well branched. -   Length of primary lateral branches: About 30 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: About 0.4 cm. -   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 8. -   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:     -   -   Form.—Cylindrical.         -   Diameter.—About 0.4 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 144 B.         -   Texture.—Pubescent.         -   Strength.—Good. -   Internode length: About 1.5 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 30 per branch.         -   Average length.—6.5 cm.         -   Average width.—3.0 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Velvety.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Velvety.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Green 137 A. Young             foliage under side: RHS Green 137 B. Mature foliage upper             side: RHS Green 137 B. Mature foliage under side: RHS Green             137 C.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS             Green 137 C. Venation color under side: RHS Green 137 D.         -   Petiole.—Length: About 0.5 cm. Diameter: About 0.3 cm.             Color: RHS Green 137 C.         -   Texture.—Velvety.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring, Summer and Autumn in Beit Dagan,     Israel. -   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: About 30 days. -   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Axillary, single flower,     salverform shape, erect habit. -   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower. -   Flower longevity on plant: 3 to 6 days. -   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: About 50. -   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Tubular.         -   Length.—About 5 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.9 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Purple N79A. -   Flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—About 6.0 cm.         -   Flower tube length.—About 3 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—1.0 cm.         -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—0.3 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Length from throat.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Width.—About 2.5 cm.         -   Quantity.—5.         -   Texture.—Velvety.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: RHS Purple N79 A, rim, White             N155 D. Lower surface: RHS Purple N79 B, rim White N155 D.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: RHS Purple N78 A, rim White             N155 D and veins Black 203 A. Lower surface: RHS Purple N78,             rim White N155 D and veins Black 203 A. Flower throat             (inside): RHS Black 203 A. Flower throat, vein: RHS Black             203 A. Flower tube (outside): RHS Violet-Blue N92 D. Flower             tube, vein: RHS Violet-Blue N92 D.         -   Fading.—Petals fading to: RHS Purple N79 B with rim White             N155 D and veins Black 203 A. -   Calyx/sepals:     -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.         -   Shape.—Linear.         -   Length.—About 1.8 cm.         -   Width.—About 0.3 cm.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Velvety.         -   Color.—Upper Surface: RHS Green 137 B. Lower Surface: RHS             Green 137 C. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—About 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 144 A.         -   Orientation.—45 degrees. -   Peduncle: Not present. -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—About 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 146 B.         -   Orientation.—45 degrees. -   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—5.         -   Filament length.—About 2.0 cm. -   Anthers:     -   -   Length.—About 0.2 cm.         -   Shape.—Rounded.         -   Color.—RHS Yellow 4 D.         -   Pollen.—Color: RHS Violet-Blue 5 D. Quantity: Abundant. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—About 2.2 cm.         -   Style.—Length: About 1.7 cm. Color: RHS Violet N87 C.         -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Green 143 C. Ovary Color:             RHS Green 143 D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: About 80 Brown, rounded seeds of about 0.5 mm     diameter, per one brown, conical capsule. Seeds and capsule colors     not accurately measured with R.H.S. chart. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Petunia have been observed. Typical     well known diseases include: Botrytis cineria, Fusarium, Pythium,     Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia species. Typical well known pests     include: Leaf miners, spider mites, thrips and possibly     caterpillars. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates a range between 5° C. to 40° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plant named ‘DCASRCHERY’ as herein illustrated and described. 